Browns’ Paul DePodesta thinks ‘there's going to be a very good player there for us at 10’

Nate Ulrich Beacon Journal

Thursday

Apr 16, 2020 at 8:37 PM

Trading down in the NFL Draft to gather more picks is a staple of analytics, so the Browns, with their new regime devoted to data, are certainly among the top candidates to employ the strategy in the first round.

It doesn't mean they will, though.

Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta, obviously without knowing how everything will unfold before the Browns go on the clock the night of April 23, spoke Thursday as if the franchise is actually leaning toward staying put at No. 10 overall instead of moving down the board.

"I think it's impossible to say right now," DePodesta said during a conference call with Browns beat writers when asked to describe his appetite for trading down from No. 10. "I'll have a better idea next Thursday night after the first handful of picks are off the board probably.

"Look, we think there's going to be a very good player there for us at 10, a very good player. And I don't have one player in my mind right now. There are more than 10 players on our board that we think are going to be really, really good NFL players, so I may feel differently come next Thursday night if only a couple of those players are off the board versus a whole lot of those players. But I think we really feel good about what we might be able to acquire right at 10."

What the Browns might be able to acquire at No. 10 is the starting offensive left tackle they sorely lack. Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills are considered the primary contenders to fill the void via the 10th choice.

If Clemson linebacker-safety Isaiah Simmons should surprisingly tumble to the Browns at No. 10, he would be another candidate. The scenario would present an interesting decision, because although the Browns have needs at linebacker and free safety, left tackle is the most glaring hole on their roster.

"I think we're probably more focused on best player available," DePodesta said, speaking about his general philosophy. "Sometimes need will come into the equation, especially if you're trying to decide between a couple of players and you need a tiebreaker or something like that, but I think best player available is probably more of the driver."

In the event the Browns cannot resist trading down from No. 10, they could target the second tier of offensive tackles, featuring Boise State's Ezra Cleveland, Houston’s Josh Jones and Southern California’s Austin Jackson, later in the opening round. Former Browns General Manager Mike Lombardi tweeted Thursday "Denver is trying to make a deal with Cleveland" to move up the board. The Broncos have the 15th overall selection.

"Our guys have done a tremendous job over the years of getting a handle on the market when it comes to trading picks, so I think we feel very comfortable there," DePodesta said of assessing the value of draft choices behind the Browns.

The Browns trading up in 2017 to draft tight end David Njoku 29th overall proves they are capable of an aggressive move up the board under DePodesta's guidance. Still, in most situations, they’ll be far more inclined to trade down.

"I wouldn't really put anything past us," he said. "I think we do have the philosophy that more picks is better. You just have more draws. You have a better chance of hitting on more guys. I think we believe in that generally, but that doesn't mean we'll just always be trading back as a result."

DePodesta admitted the logistical challenges of the NFL conducting a virtual draft due to the COVID-19 pandemic could slow the process of executing a trade, but he doesn't envision a derailed deal becoming a consequence. He explained he has an "official draft phone" in his home office in the La Jolla section of San Diego, California, along with multiple screens, a backup generator and backup Internet service — a setup eight or nine members of the Browns will operate with throughout the three-day draft. He joked about having more experience working remotely than most because he’s been based in California throughout his Browns tenure, which began in 2016.

"Given the structure of the draft and the different rounds," DePodesta said, "I think we'll have plenty of time to actually carry out anything that we actually want to do."

One trade possibility to keep in mind is a deal for seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who wants out of Washington. Although bringing a young tackle to Cleveland on a rookie contract appears to be a much more likely path for the Browns to travel, acquiring a proven veteran can be enticing.

While delving into the topic of veteran versus NFL newcomer, DePodesta conceded the Browns cannot reasonably expect a rookie left tackle to play at an All-Pro level. He said it's "extremely unusual" for a player to dominate out of the gate the way former Browns 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas did when he entered the league in 2007 as the third overall pick. DePodesta also pointed out the global health crisis will reduce the on-field preparation this year's rookie class will have with coaches.

"You have to expect that there are going to be some growing pains for any young player," DePodesta said. "At the same time, those players may have really, really high potential. So going through those growing pains is quite worth it because you look up after two, three, four years, and you do have that perennial All Pro playing at a key position.

"But it certainly is something that we have to weigh, not just at that position, but I think across the roster as we look at some of these players that we have a chance to add during the draft. But I do think you can run into problems when you go into the draft with the idea that you're solving needs for that season. I think sometimes that can be a mistake."

Whatever happens, DePodesta will be heavily involved, though he said new General Manager Andrew Berry "has to make the final call" during the draft.

DePodesta opined it's "a shame" the organization's top decision makers won't be able to enjoy their collaborative draft process together in person.

"But in terms of picking players and the execution of our plan," he added, "I feel great about where we are and don't think the setup is going to hinder us in any way."

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his Browns coverage at www.beaconjournal.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ByNateUlrich and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.

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